"The weekend continued, it was crazy busy, and stupidly I didn't really keep a track of movements - I did continue to use the doppler and although I struggled sometimes, I picked up what I thought was her heartbeat.

"I was wrong. In hindsight, I had been picking up my own heartbeat. I felt like my bump had gone squishy and managed to convince myself she had settled in my back and that's why I wasn't feeling any movements.

"On the Monday morning when everything had slowed down I suddenly panicked realising that I really hadn't felt any movements - and this time the only sound I could pick up with the doppler was static. I hurriedly arranged to get checked out. I was still trying to convince myself it would all be OK.

Mrs Brushneen, who has three other children, added: "In that tiny dark room, with an ultrasound machine that was probably older than me, the two midwives confirmed, after trying with their own dopplers, they couldn't find a heartbeat.

"I just remember repeating 'but we've painted her room pink' and 'her clothes are all hung up ready'.

"Sophie was born sleeping at just after midnight on Wednesday 1 February 2012 - the day I would've been 24 weeks pregnant. She weighed less than 1lb.

"My message to other mums is that these should not be treated as a bit of fun. Don't buy these devices and please don't rely on them to check your baby's health."